Horticulture
A specialization of our Horticulture and Crop Science major
Cultivate fruits, vegetables and ornamentals while learning about plant reproduction and growth while you become a horticulturalist. Additionally, our department is thrilled to offer scholarships of up to $10,000 for the top teams and top individual winners in select State FFA Career Development Events, including Floriculture - check if you're eligible.
What you'll study
Horticulture combines plant biology, environmental science and modern business to cultivate fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and designed landscapes. You'll learn about plant reproduction and growth.
As a Horticulture and Crop Science major you’ll participate in hands-on-learning including labs and interactive activities in nearly every major course.
Program requirements can grow and change - always be sure to check with your academic advisor to ensure you are on the right track. Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Klooster for any academic advising questions related to this specialization.
Horticulture is the application of scientific principles to grow vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants and landscape design, as well as business principles to sell the commodities. You’ll learn basic characteristics of a wide variety of plants; including how they grow, develop, reproduce and adapt to different environments. Using this knowledge, you’ll be able to create optimal growing conditions for a plant to have higher yield and reduce potential problems such as pests and diseases.
Core topics: sustainable vegetable production, crop origins, plant disease management, organic gardening, landscape pest management, plant breeding, ornamental plants, fruit crop physiology, plant propagation and plant management.
Major coursework
Select all from:
- HCS 2202: Form and Function in Cultivated Plants (4 credit hours)
- HCS 2204: Ecology of Managed Plant Systems** (3 credit hours)
- HCS 2205: Ecology of Managed Plant Systems Lab (1 credit hour)
- HCS 2260: Data Analysis and Interpretation for Decision Making (3 credit hours)
- HCS 3200: Intro to Horticulture (3 credit hours)
- HCS 3220: Crop Origins and Diversity (2 credit hours)
- HCS 3310: Crop Responses to the Environment (3 credit hours)
- HCS 3320: Plant Propagation (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5200: Advanced Horticultural Systems (Capstone) (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5422: Biology and Management of Weeds and Invasive Plants (3 credit hours)
- ENR 3000: Soil Science (3 credit hours)
- ENTMLGY 4600: Intro to Insect Sciences (1 credit hour)
- ENTMLGY 4601: General Insect Pest Management (2 credit hours)
- -or- ENTMLGY 4000: General Entomology (3 credit hours)
- -or- ENTMLGY 5608: Turfgrass Insect Pest Management (2 credit hours)
- -or- ENTMLGY 5609: Landscape Ornamental Pest Management (3 credit hours)
- -or- ENTMLGY 5610: Greenhouse Pest Management (3 credit hours)
- PLNTPTH 3001: General Plant Pathology (3 credit hours)
- PLNTPTH 3002: General Plant Pathology Lab (2 credit hours)
Major electives
Select 6-7 credit hours from:
- HCS 2300: Introduction to Hydroponics (1 credit hour)
- HCS 2305: Organic Gardening (1 credit hour)
- HCS 2306: Sustainable Vegetable Production Practicum (3 credit hours)
- HCS 2307: Sustainable Agriculture Practical Experience (2 credit hours)
- HCS 2340.01: Woody Ornamental Plants (3 credit hours)
- HCS 2340.02: Herbaceous Ornamental Plants (3 credit hours)
- HCS 3380: Latino Workforce in Land Based Industries (2 credit hours)
- HCS 3410: Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Practices (2 credit hours)
- HCS 3420: Seed Science (3 credit hours)
- HCS 3470: Introduction to Turfgrass Management (3 credit hours)
- HCS 3488.01: Professional Development in Hort. And Crop Science (1-3 credit hours)
- HCS 3521: Greenhouse Systems and Management (2 credit hours)
- HCS/AGSYSMT 3585: Digital Agriculture** (3 credit hours)
- HCS/AGSYSMT 3586: Digital Agriculture Laboratory** (1 credit hour)
- HCS 4193: Individual Studies (1-3 credit hours)
- HCS 4300: Hydroponics Crop Production (2 credit hours)
- HCS 4301d: Hydroponics Crop Production Lab (1 credit hour)
- HCS 4520: Medicinal Plants (2 credit hours)
- HCS 4998c: Undergraduate Research (1-6 credit hours)
- HCS 4999c: Research with Distinction (1-6 credit hours)
- HCS 4999Hc: Honors Research with Distinction (1-6 credit hours)
- HCS 5097.03-04 & 5797.03-04: Study Abroad Predeparture & Study Abroad (4 credit hours)
- HCS 5306: Sustainable Vegetable Production Practicum (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5325: Plant Genetics (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5450: Vegetable Crop Production and Physiology (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5460: Fruit Crop Physiology and Production (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5621: Physiology of Cultivated Plants (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5622d: Biochemical Processes in Cultivated Plants (3 credit hours)
- HCS 5625d: Applied Plant Biotechnology (2 credit hours)
- HCS 5825d: Plant Breeding (2 credit hours)
- HCS 5887: Introduction to Experimental Design (3 credit hours)
Please note
- **Theme courses
- c Only up to 6 credits of any combination of 4193, 4998, 4999, or 4999H can count towards major electives.
- d Review prerequisites
General education requirements
Select all from:
- GE Launch Seminar: GENED 1201 (1 credit hour)
- Writing and Information Literacy: Student Choice (3 credit hours)
- Mathematical & Quantitative Reasoning/Data Analysis: Major requirement: MATH 1130, 1148, 1150, 1151, or 1156* (or Student Choice – see below) (4-5 credit hours)
- Literary, Visual and Performing Arts: Student Choice (3 credit hours)
- Historical & Cultural Studies: Student Choice (3 credit hours)
- Natural Science: Major requirement: BIOLOGY 1113* (or Student Choice – see below) (4 credit hours)
- Social & Behavioral Sciences: Major requirement: AEDECON 2001 or ECON 2001.01* (or Student Choice – see below) (3 credit hours)
- Race, Ethnic and Gender Diversity: Student Choice (3 credit hours)
- Theme: Citizenship for a Diverse & Just Worlda: Student Choice (4-6 credit hours)
- Theme: Student Choicea: Student Choice (4-6 credit hours)
- GE Reflection: GENED 4001 (1 credit hour)
B.S. in Agriculture degree requirements
Select all from:
- College & Department Survey: FAES 1100 (0.5) & HCS 1100 (0.5) (1 credit hour)
- Oral Expression: AGRCOMM 3130 or COMM 2110 (3 credit hours)
- Additional Science: CHEM 1110, 1210, or 1220 (5 credit hours)
- Internship: FAES 3191 & HCS 4191.01 (2 credit hours)
- Minor Equiv.b: Minor requirements below (15-18 credit hours)
Please note
- * Indicates a pre/corequisite course for this major that also satisfies this GE category. If a student makes an alternative selection in this GE category, they must also complete this course.
- a Students complete either a 4-credit course or two 3-credit courses in each of two General Education Theme areas: Citizenship for a Diverse & Just World (required), and the student’s choice of available GE Themes. If any major-required courses are identified as a GE Theme course, one course in each GE Theme area may double count in the GE and major hours. Theme courses are identified with a ** symbol.
- b Students in this program complete a group of courses called a minor equivalent. Declaring an additional minor is not required.
Select courses from one of the following groups:
Group A: production and management
If choosing Group A select 15-18 credit hours from:
- AEDECON 3101: Principles of Agribusiness Management (3 credit hours)
- AEDECON 3102: Principles of Agribusiness Marketing (3 credit hours)
- AEDECON 3160: Human Resource Management in Small Business (3 credit hours)
- AGSYSMT 2240: Basic Metal Fabrication for Agriculture (3 credit hours)
- AGSYSMT 3232: Engines and Power Transmission (3 credit hours)
- HCS/AGSYSMT 3585: Digital Agriculture** (3 credit hours)
- HCS/AGSYSMT 3586: Digital Agriculture Laboratory** (1 credit hour)
- AGSYSMT 5560: UAS and Remote Sensing in Agriculture (3 credit hours)
- BUSMHR 2210: Personal Leadership & Team Effectiveness (3 credit hours)
- BUSML 3150: Foundations of Marketing (3 credit hours)
- CONSCI 2910: Consumer Problems and Perspectives (3 credit hours)
- CSHSPMG 3910: Customer Experience Management (3 credit hours)
- CONSYSM 2205: Introduction to Construction Systems Management (3 credit hours)
- CONSYSM 2241: Construction Materials and Methods II (3 credit hours)
- CONSYSM 2440: Construction Surveying and Site Development (4 credit hours)
- ENR 3001: Soil Science Laboratory (1 credit hour)
- ENR 3700: Intro to Spatial Information for ENR (3 credit hours)
- ENR 5272: Turfgrass Soils (3 credit hours)
- ENR 5279: Urban Soils and Ecosystem Services (3 credit hours)
- ENTMLGY 5500: Biological Control of Arthropod Pests (3 credit hours)
- ENTMLGY 5600: Integrated Pest Management (3 credit hours)
- ENTMLGY 5800: Pesticide Science (3 credit hours)
- PLNTPTH 5110: Ecology and Management of Pathogens and Insects Affecting Trees in Forest and Urban Environments (3 credit hours)
- PLNTPTH 5120: Diseases of Ornamental Plants (2 credit hours)
- PLNTPTH 5150: Diseases of Vegetable and Fruit Crops (2 credit hours)
- PLNTPTH 5603: Plant Disease Management (3 credit hours)
Group B: research
If choosing Group B select 15-18 credit hours from:
- CHEM 2310d: Introductory Organic Chemistry (4 credit hours)
- BIOCHEM 4511: Introduction to Biological Chemistry (4 credit hours)
- EEOB 3310.01 or 3310. 02: Evolution (4 credit hours)
- EEOB 3410: Ecology (4 credit hours)
- ENR 5268: Soils and Climate Change (3 credit hours)
- GEOG 5900: Weather, Climate, & Global Warming (3 credit hours)
Please note
- ** Theme courses
- d Review prerequisites
- Courses selected as major elective options cannot also count in the minor equivalent.
Credit breakdown
- General Education (33-38 credit hours)
- Degree Requirements (26-29 credit hours)
- Major (53-54 credit hours)
- Open Electives (0-9 credit hours)
- Minimum Total Credit Hours (121 credit hours)
Career opportunities and more
- Strawberry Crop Specialist
- Garden Center Manager
- Plant Breeder
- Vineyard Owner
- Landscape Designer
- Plant Germplasm Curator
Ready for a once in a lifetime experience? Global Education is the opportunity to make the world your classroom. You'll get to travel with a group of peers, navigate a new culture, build skills that will aid you in your career and gain a new perspective on the world! Scholarships and financial aid assistance are available to help put these opportunities within your reach.
As an HCS undergraduate, an internship isn't just a necessity - it’s your built-in advantage. You'll graduate with specialized experience already on your resume, a clear sense of what you enjoy (and what you'd rather skip) and a professional network ready to hire you.
Choose your destination:
- Stay local: Build deep roots within the thriving Ohio agricultural and green industry.
- Cross state lines: Explore operations all across the U.S.
- Go global: Ever dreamed of working in the Netherlands, Australia or beyond? Through the Ohio International Intern Program (TOP), we make it possible.
Ready to map out your journey? Check out our internship course and internship requirements
College is an investment in your future. We’re here to help you understand your options, find support and make a plan that works for you and your family.
Explore scholarship and funding opportunities
Additionally, our department is thrilled to offer scholarships of up to $10,000 for the top teams and top individual winners in select State FFA Career Development Events - check if you're eligible.
Student researchers are a valuable part of our department. Undergraduate students in HCS have a variety of opportunities to gain valuable hands-on research experience while learning new skills and techniques, which can be broadly applied across fields.
How to become an HCS: Horticulture major
Our only requirement in general admission to The Ohio State University - we have no separate application required. Please select the Horticulture and Crop Science major when applying to Ohio State if you are interested in our Horticulture specialization.
We're happy to welcome new first-year students into our HCS program.
We're happy to welcome campus changers into our HCS program.
We're happy to welcome major changers and transfer students into our HCS program.
We welcome international students to enroll in our HCS program. Please note all HCS students must complete all aspects of the HCS program including the internship. It is important that the proper work visa is in place to allow for this employment in the United States.
Not sure if our program is a good fit for you?
We get it, it's a big decision! Let us help you make it easier; contact us with questions and to learn more about the career options our programs can open for you. We're also happy to set up a fully custom campus visit experience for you as well.